RACING: Alexander Banquet has been given the go-ahead to run in Sunday's John Durkan Memorial Chase. The Hennessy winner picked up a slight leg injury during a work-out at Fairyhouse eight days ago but has been given the all-clear by Willie Mullins.

"He is a runner and Barry Geraghty will ride. He is in good form and rode out this morning," Mullins said yesterday. "The vet has looked at him and unless there is a problem during the week he should be okay. He has missed only a couple of days and did a right bit of work on Tuesday last."

Nine entries remain in the Grade One Punchestown contest, including the former winner Native Upmanship and his stable companion, the James Nicholson Chase winner More Than A Stroll.

"I would hope to run the two of them. I wouldn't want the ground too testing for Native Upmanship. We will play it by ear, but I'm keen to run both," said Arthur Moore yesterday.

"Native Upmanship is very well and will be a lot better for his last race. I think the winner (Copernicus) was in very good form that day at Naas," added Moore.

Concern about the going will not be just confined to the Naas trainer. Francois Doumen has already expressed concern at running the former King George hero First Gold on very testing ground.

Yesterday the Punchestown racing manager, Riche Galway, reported: "The ground is heavy now and it will remain heavy for the weekend. If the forecast is correct there is no question of the meeting not going ahead and we will be back on the main track for the Durkan meeting."

Rince Ri and Commanche Court have been left in the Durkan by Ted Walsh and both are possible starters, while Youlneverwalkalone has an entry in a far less taxing event at Thurles tomorrow.

Ballyamber remains an 8 to 1 favourite with the sponsor for the €170,000 Paddy Power Handicap Chase at the second day of the Leopardstown Christmas meeting.

The Mullins runner has been put up 4lb for his second placing to stable companion Macs Gildoran (12 to 1) at the weekend. Six British-trained horses are in the entry list with the Cheltenham winner Rith Dubh from the Jonjo O'Neill yard the top weighted of the possible raiders.

Jessica Harrington's Moscow Flyer has been the subject of significant support for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March ahead of his clash with the reigning champion Flagship Uberalles in the Mitsubishi Shogun Tingle Creek Trophy at Sandown on Saturday.